All for one, one for all: Robbo sticks to principles until job is done

Trent Robinson banned the phrase "back to back", but there it was printed on his back: Roosters 14 Raiders 8.

The ink had barely dried on reams of newspaper copy about that refereeing call, but there it was stuck on Robinson's shirt. Marketing and merchandising teams are so efficient these days that they can order commemorative premiers T-shirts and have them delivered with the grand final score on them before Victor Radley has taken off his football boots or gone to sleep.

The bus pulled in with players; the bus left with players. And the one constant, Robinson.

To a man, woman and child, not an autograph or selfie was refused. More than an hour and a half after his players had left, still Robinson shuffled up a narrow walkway as fans lined the steel fences.

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His mind games and famously strict policy of not divulging team information a minute before he needs to can madden some, but ask the people on Monday what they really think of him.

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Rival fans deride the Roosters for not enjoying the support in numbers of other Sydney clubs, but Robinson gives his all for each one. There were about 1000 of them at the club's fan day at Moore Park and the coach nearly shook hands with all.

He's not a big party animal by nature. Plans to win a third straight title will start sooner rather than later, so rejoining the festivities with his players was never going to be a high priority.

But hanging back like this?

"They come out in the colours, they come out and support us each week," said the 42-year-old, who has won three titles in seven years at the Tricolours. "They buy the merchandise, they buy the memberships, they do everything for us. We don't get the opportunity that much to say thank you, and if you're going to turn up today, I'm going to say thank you.

We don't get the opportunity that much to say thank you, and if you're going to turn up today, I'm going to say thank you.

Trent Robinson

"We're in an area where the demographic’s changed over 100 years and a lot of them have moved all across Australia, and that means that often at big occasions that's when they get to congregate together. The last couple of years have shown the support that we've had.

"I get a full-time job, to coach rugby league. These people are the reason that I get to do that."

One of the most memorable text messages Robinson received overnight was from former English soccer player Joey Barton, the type of midfield madman who would have been suited to rugby league. The two met at a coaching accreditation course and have kept in touch. The text went along the lines of 'there's nothing better than winning by sticking to your principles'.

Trent Robinson addresses Roosters fans at the club's fan day following the grand final.Credit:Peter Rae

Robinson's principle has always been about the person first. It's why he gave away his premiership ring to Zane Tetevano, the man he sat down in his office in grand final week to tell him he wouldn't be playing because co-captain Jake Friend was fit again.

"He's really passionate, he loves his league and he loves the character in league," Robinson said of Barton. "And he was pretty rapt about the way we won.

"To win on principles, if you've got to go to the depth of your principles to win a game then you know you're in a good position. It was probably the most apt text that I got over the night."

When Luke Keary was presented to the crowd, Roosters fans crowed about Crowe.

"Thank you Russell, thank you Russell," they chanted.

Cooper Cronk?

"One more year, one more year."

No such luck, he's already planning to be drinking on Bondi Beach for the next month.

Mitchell Aubusson's knee was in a brace and there's no signs of caring what the actual injury is until the party's stopped.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson poses for a selfie with a fan.Credit:Peter Rae

"It was honestly like my worst nightmare, but then the best dream ever," he said after leaving the field in the first half of the grand final triumph.

And down the other end of the stage was Radley, his boots still on and sunglasses masking the night Robinson never had.